Americans consume far too much salt, according to government statistics. That puts them at risk for high blood pressure and, in turn, heart attack and stroke. The 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day for people ages 14 and older, and less for younger children. Among 14,728 people surveyed during 2009–2012, 89 percent of adults ages 19 and older and about 93 percent of children ages 2 to 18 exceeded the recommendations. Bread, deli meat, pizza, poultry, soup, sandwiches, cheese, pasta dishes, mixed meat dishes (such as meatloaf with tomato sauce), and savory snacks were top sources of sodium in the United States. Restaurant meals may also be packed with salt.Source:Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, published online Jan. 6, 2016